Machine for pressing sound records and the like



July 4, w SOMNER MACHINE FOR PRESSING SOUND RECORDS AND THE LIKE File May 27, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 VENTOR WILLIAM SOMNER.

ATTORNEY W. SOMNER July 4, 1933.

MACHINE FOR PRESSING SOUND RECORDS AND THE LIKE Filed May 27, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 R. E W R 7 m v m 4/ WM/ w Y I B ATTORNEY Patented July 4, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM SOMNER, OF LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO COLUMBIA PHONOGRAPH COMPANY, INC., OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

MACHINE FOR PRESSING SOUND RECORDS AND THE LIKE Application filed May 27, 1930, Serial No. 456,065, and in Great Britain June 19, 1929.

This invention relates to machines for pressing disc sound records and the like, the invention having more particular reference to dies for use in connection therewith in which a matrix discis temporarily attached to the die holder for the purpose of forming record discs in thermoplastic or other suitable material when compressed between the platens of the press. The invention may be applied to any convenient type of press, for example, of the hydraulic or power type.

The invention has for its object to provide an improved and simplified means for retaining the record forming matrix disc in operative position and which permits the matrix disc to be readily removed when desired. y

The invention consists in a record pressing die comprising a retaining member adapted to grip the matrix in firm association with the die holder upon the co-active engagement of parts of the retaining member and die holder caused by relative movement between them.

The invention further consists in a disc record pressing die having a retaining ring adapted to hold a record forming matrix in or on the die holder, characterized in that the matrix is released or gripped by a rotational movement of the said retaining ring.

The invention further consists in a record pressing die characterized in that the record forming matrix is retained in the die holder by means of a rotatable ring having interruptions around its outer edge adapted to engage with co-acting interruptions on the matrix die holders.

The invention further consists in a. record pressing die wherein the matrix holding ring is rotated by means of a geared drive on its circumference or by means of a lever.

Further features of the invention will be disclosed with reference to the attached drawings in which Figure 1 shows a pressing die'with the matrix retaining ring in its free position.

Fig. 2 shows the same pressing die with the matrix clamped home.

Fig. 3 shows another form of matrix holding die operated by means of a. lever.

Fig. 4 is the same die with the matrix clamped in position.

Fig. 5 is a section of another form of matrix clamping ring.

Fig. 6 is another form of matrix retaining ring clamping device.

in carrying my invention into effect in one convenient manner I may, for example, use an automatic press of the type described 1n British Patent No. 223,943 in which a pair of I die holders are in book form and are adapted to be moved to and froon guides between the platens of a hydraulic press, although it will be understood that the invention is also applicable to any other type, for example, that type in which the the holders are attached to the platens of the press instead of being movable relative thereto.

In one convenient construction, shown in F igures 1 and 2, a die holder 10 is suitably recessed to accommodate a clamping ring 11 preferably formed of steel and constructed so that it has an inside diameter slightly less than the outside diameter of a matrix 12, and so arranged that it will hold the matrix 12 in place when fastened down. The under surface of the ring 11 is recessed at 13 to accommodate the edge of the matrix.

The outer circumference of the clamping ring 11 is provided with a plurality of notches or recesses 14 which pass over corre sponding projections or fingers 15 mounted on the die holder 10, (Figures 1 and 2).

When it is desired to fix a matrix 12 in position the latter is placed in the die holder 10 and the ring 11 is placed around the edge of the matrix 12 by allowing the fingers 15 to pass through the notches 141, as in Figure 1, after which the clamping ring 11 is rotated a short distance by means of a pinion 16 operated by a key 17, and engaging with the toothed edge 18 on the ring 11 or by other suitable means, so that the solid part 19 of the ring lies underneath the fingers 15 on the die holder as shown in Figure 2, the fingers thus serving to hold the clamping ring 11 and matrix 12 tightly in place.

The notches or recesses 14: and/or the fingers or projections 15 may be of any suitable form and may in some constructions be in the form of a spring or springs, or if desired the projections 15 may be attached to spring plungers passing through or into the die holder 10, so as to exert a pressure upon the ring 11 when it is in position.

The upper surface of the ring 11 and or the die holder 10 is preferably provided with a suitable recess or recesses of depth sufiicient for the fingers 15 and associated parts to lie below or on a level with the upper surface 20 of the clamping ring 11. The edges of the recesses 14 may be chamfered or bevelled as at 21 if desired while alternatively or in addition, a suitable catch or recess may be provided to hold the ring in its closed position.

It will be seen that in the form of the invention shown the matrix 12 can be clamped or released by merely rotating the pinion 16 which is in engagement with the geared segment 18. According to another form of the invention shown in Figures 3 and i, a lever is provided having projections 23 adapted to engage in apertures in the clamping ring 11 and arranged so that when side pressure is applied to the lever it will cause the clamping ring to rotate. To facilitate this it is preferable that the lever be provided with another pin which will engage an aperture 24 in the center of the matrix or die so-as to form a fulcrum about which'the lever 22 can rotate. The clamping, ring 11 may be provided with projections 25 adapted to engage with recesses 26 on the die holder 10. Figure 3 shows the matrix 12 and the clamp ring 11 in their free positions before they are rotated by the lever. 22, while Figure 4 shows the matrix 12 firmly secure'din position by the clamp ring 11. r

The clamp ring 11 may contact directly on the edge of the matrix 12, or a bufi'er ring 27 of steel or other suitable material may be pro vided, as shown in Figure 5, and arranged between the matrix 12 and ring 11 in such a manner that movement of the ring llwill not rub or mutilate the edge of the matrix 12.

According to another form of the inven tion, the clamping ring 11 may be'arranged to be stationary while the die holder is provided with movable parts thereon, adapted to engage and hold the clamping ring 11 when moved in any suitable manner. One example of this form of the invention, shown for example in, Fig. 6 comprises a stationary clamp ring 11 adapted to be gripped by rotation of the interrupted or eccentric member 28 which is preferably inclined on its lower face so as to increase its gripping pressure when correctly rotated.

It willbe appreciated that various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the clamping ring and the die holder may be formed with an interrupted thread in the manner of the breech block of a gun; or the matrix clamp ring may be attached to either the top or bottom die holder or both as may be desired. A center clamping ring or stud may also be provided and operated in a similar manner, namely, with an interrupted thread or other quick operating device. The matrix clamping ring or the above mentioned buifer ring may be provided with a chamfered or bevelled edge for limiting the size 1 of the record which is to be pressed between the matrices, in the usual way.

The die holders may or may not be provided with channelling to permit the use of steam for heating or water for cooling in a manner described with reference to the above mentioned Patent No. 223,943 or in any other suitable way. It is further to be understood that the improvement in-accordance with the invention may be adapted to existing process or the presses'may have the improvements embodied therein during the course ofmanufacture and that the putting into operation of the means whereby the matrix holding ring is clamped may be carried out by gearing, worm drive, levers, or in many diflerent ways, in accordance with practical requirements to be fulfilled.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:

1.;In combination, a, die holder, a matrix on said die holder, means to clamp the matrix to the die holder, said means includnotched ring is turned to move its notches out of register with the fingers on the. die holder.

I 2. In combination, a die holder, a matrix on said die holder, means to clamp the matrix to the die holder, said means including a ring, means on the die holder to cooperate with the ring and force it against the die holder on the ring being given a partial rotation, a buffer ring between the matrix and said first ring and adapted to be pressed into place to clamp said matrix to the die holder on the first ring being given a partial rotation. Y

8. In combination, a die holder, a matrix on said die holder, means to clamp the matrix to the die holder, said means including a ring, means to impart a partial rotation to said ring, means on the die holder to co-operate with the ring and force it against the die holder on the ring being given said partial rotation, and a'buffer ring between the matrix and said first ring and adapted to be pressed into place to clamp said matrix to the die holder on the first ring being given a partial rotation.

Signed at London, England, this 8th day of May A. D. 1930.

WILLIAM SOMNER. 

